Controllable feeding device for animals



E. A. BUESING comomm mums DEVICE FOR ANIMALS Feb. 2, 1960 Filed June 17, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m M w 9 QT N u E R s m w r on B 0% L N M w 1 a On .RN. 9 5 E m om m a m mu: m 9* 9 1m r 5 Nh E bu O- ATTDRNEYB Feb; 2, 1960 E. A. BUESING 2,923,275

CONTROLLABLE FEEDING DEVICE FOR ANIMALS Filed June 17, 1958 2 Sheets-Shet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Ernest fl. Bue 5,2 729 ATTORNEYS United States Patent CONTROLLABLE FEEDING DEVICE FOR ANIMALS This invention relates to a device for conveying material such as feed to localities where the feed is to be consumed or eaten by cattle.

The object of the invention is to provide a feeding device which is adapted to receive feed or other material from a suitable source of supply, and wherein there is provided a conveyor which is adapted to move or carry the feed to troughs so that cattle, animals, poultry or the like can readily have access to the feed in the trough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feeding device which is constructed so that the amount of feed being discharged to troughs can be regulated or controlled as desired, and wherein the troughs are arranged in spaced apart relation with respectto each other so that a plurality of cattle can be fed simultaneously.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feeding device which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the feeding device, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the feeding device of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the feeding device of the present invention, with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the feeding device of the present invention, and the feeding device includes a first section 11, as well as second and third sections 12 and 13, and-these sec tions are arranged in end-to-end aligned relation with respect to each other and are releasably connected together. It is to be understood that while the present application illustrates and describes three such sections, that the number of sections being used can be varied as desi :d whereby the effective length of the feeding degice 10 can be regulated or controlled as required or esir .d.

apparent during the line 55 of As shown in Figure 4 for example, the first section 11 includes a horizontally disposed top wall or platform 14,

as well as a pair of vertically disposed spaced parallel side walls 15. Each of the side walls 15 includes a main vertically disposed portion 16 and upper horizontally disposed inwardly extending flanges 17. The numeral 118 designates legs which are used for supporting the evice.

There is further provided a horizontally disposed shelf 2,923,275 Patented Feb. 2, 1960 or support member 19 which may be secured to the lower ends of certain of the legs 18. Supported by the shelf 19 is a motor 20, and the motor 20 serves to rotate a shaft 21. The shaft 21 has a sprocket thereon, and an endless chain 22 is trained over the sprocket on the shaft 21. The endless chain 22 is also trained over a sprocket 23 on the shaft 24, and the shaft 24 serves to operate or actuate a chain and sprocket mechanism 25, Figure 3. The chain and sprocket mechanism 25 is used for operating or rotating a drive shaft 26'.

The second and third sections 12 and 13 each include vertically disposed spaced parallel side members 27, and there is provided in the lower portion of each of the side members 27 a discharge opening 28. The numeral 29 indicates each of a plurality of vertically adjustable gates or closures, and the gates 29 are mounted for movement into and out of open and closed relation with respect to the discharge openings 28. Angularly arranged lips 30 are arranged on the lower portion of each gate 29 for a purpose to be later described. The gates 29 are provided with slots 31, and securing elements such as bolts 32 extend through the slots 31. By loosening the bolts 32, the gates 29 can be adjusted to their desired position with respect to the openings 28, and then the bolts 32 can be tightened so as to retain the gates 29 immobile in their adjusted positions, the bolts 32 extending through the slots 31 as shown in Figure 1 for example.

Each of the side members 27 includes a horizontally disposed first portion 33, an inclined second portion 34, and a vertically disposed third portion 35. Extending inwardly from the top edge of each of the portions 35 is a horizontally disposed flange 36, and the flanges 36 are arranged in alignment with the flanges 17.

There is further provided a plurality of horizontally disposed channel members 37, and bearing blocks 38 are slidably mounted in the channel members 37. Screw members 39 are connected to the bearing blocks 38 for adjusting the bearing blocks 38, and the screw members 39 extend through an end piece 40. A driven shaft 41 is carried by the pair of bearing blocks 38, and a pair of sprockets 42 are mounted on the driven shaft 41. The numeral 44 indicates a portion of a conveyor which includes a pair of spaced apart chains 45, and the chains 45 are trained over sprockets 43 on the shaft 26, and the chains 45 are also trained over the sprockets 42 on the shaft 41. The chains 45 are adapted to have their upper runs travel or move along the platform 14, and these chains 45 are also adapted to travel along the purtions 33 of the side members 27. The flanges such as the flanges 17 and 36 are for protection from the moving chains 45 so that there will be less likelihood of animals or the like accidentally becoming entangled in the moving chains.

It is to be noted that by adjusting the screw members 39, the bearing blocks 38 can be adjusted in the channel members 37 so that the tension on the endless chains 45 can be adjusted or regulated as desired. The numeral 46 designates each of a plurality of spaced parallel crosspieces or slats which extend between the pair of chains 45 and which are connected thereto. Thus, as the chains 45 move, the crosspieces 46 will move, so that the crossmaterial from a suitable source of supply onto the platform 14.

Associated .with each of the sections 12 and 13 is a body member which is indicated generally by the ,3 numeral 48, Figures and 6. Each body member 48 includes inclined members or surfaces 49 which have their upper inner portions defining an apex 50, and the apex 50 is arranged in the central portion of each of the sections 12 and 13. Each of the body members 48 is further provided with outer troughs 51, and the troughs 51 are adapted to receive feed or other material which passes down the inclined members 49 and out through the dis charge openings 28. The lips 30 on the lower, ends of the gates 29 are adapted to engage the inclined members 49 when the gates 29 are in their lowered position so as to block off any further flow of feed through the openings 28.

The numeral 52 indicates braces which can be used for helping to maintain the parts in their proper assembled position. The numeral 53 indicates suitable securing elements such as bolts which are used for fastening the various sections together, and by removing the bolts 53, the various sections can be disassembled.

The numeral 54 indicates idler sprockets which are arranged in engagement with the chains 45.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a feeding device which is especially suitable for use in conveying feed from one location to another location. In use, with the parts arranged and constructed as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that feed or other material is adapted to be conveyed to the first section 11 by means of the chute or conveyor 47, and the conveyor 47 may lead from a hopper, bin or the like. This feed is deposited on the stationary platform 14. With the motor actuated, it will be seen that the chain 22 will turn, and this will cause rotation of the shaft 24. As the shaft 24 rotates, it drives the chain and sprocket mechanism 25 which in turn rotates the shaft 26. The shaft 26 causes rotation of the sprockets 43, and the pair of endless chains 45 are trained over the sprockets 43.

Thus, it will be seen that the chains 45 will turn in a clockwise direction, Figure 2, so that the crosspieces 46 will move along with the chains 45 whereby the crosspieces 46 will move the grain or feed 05 of the platform 14. This grain which is moved off of the platform 14 will be deposited onto the inclined portions 49 of the body members 48. It is to be noted that when the gates 29 are in raised position as shown in Figure 5, the grain or feed can discharge down the inclined members 49 and into the troughs 51 whereby cattle, animals, poultry or the like can readily consume or eat the feed in the troughs 51. When it is desired to control the flow of feed to any particular trough, the gates 29 can be moved downward to block off the openings 28, as for example as shown in Figure 6. Thus, with the gates 29 in lowered position, the lips 30 abut the upper surface of the portions 49 so as to provide a tight seal whereby no further grain can flow into the troughs 51. Cattle are adapted to stand alongside of the device so that they can conveniently eat (5!; consume the material which discharges in the troughs The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes. By loosening bolts such as the bolts 53, a number of sections which make up the feeding device can be increased or decreased so that the efiective length thereof can be varied as desired. By properly rotating the screw members 39, the bearing blocks 38 can be moved in the channel members I so as to provide a means for adjusting the tension \n. the chains 45.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a self-feeding cattle feeder and in use the feed is adapted to be carried out of a silo room to a main bunk. From there it feeds into sections such as the sections 12 and 13 and then the feed drops on either side into the troughs or trays 51. The gates 29 control the amount of feed which drops out and the device is made so that all of the surplus feed will drop without any carryover. The device is narrow so that it will conveniently work in a feed hunt;

and the device can be used to feed two different herds of cattle at the same time and the amount of feed on either side can be readily controlled. The device works for various materials such as crushed corn, grain, silage, and can also be used as a hog feeder.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a feeding device, a first section including a horizontally disposed platform, a pair of vertically disposed spaced parallel side walls arranged contiguous to the outer edges of said platform, vertically disposed spaced apart legs connected to said first section, a horizontally disposed shelf supported by the lower portions of said legs, a motor on said shelf, a drive shaft supportedby said first section, means connecting said motor to said drive shaft, second and third sections arranged in end-to-end relation with respect to said first section and connected in alignment therewith, said second and third sections being each provided with vertically disposed side members having openings in the lower portions thereof, vertically adjustable gates mounted for movement into and out of opened and closed'relation with respect to the openings in the side members, each of said side members including horizontally disposed first portions, inclined second portions below said first portions, vertically disposed third portions extending upwardly from said second portions, horizontally disposed channel members connected to said third section, bearing blocks slidably supported by said channel members, screw members for moving said hearing blocks, a driven shaft connected to said bearing blocks, a conveyor including a pair of endless chains connected to said drive and driven shaft, said chains being mounted for movement along said platform and along the first portions of said side members, a plurality of spaced parallel crosspieces extending between said chains and connected thereto, and body members connected to said second and third sections, each of said body members including inclined members having upper inner portions defining an apex which is arranged in the central portion of the second and third sections, said inclined members having their outer portions terminating in troughs which are adapted to receive feed that passes through the openings in said side members.

2. 'In a feeding device, a first section including a horizontally disposed platform, a pair of vertically disposed spaced parallel side walls arranged contiguous to the outer edges of said platform, vertically disposed spaced apart legs connected to said first section, a horizontally disposed shelf supported by the lower portions of said legs, a motor on said shelf, a drive shaft supported by said first section, means connecting said motor to said drive shaft, second and third sections arranged in end-to-end relation with respect to said first section and connected in alignment therewith, said second and third sections being each provided with vertically disposed side members hav ing openings in the lower portions thereof, vertically adjustable gates mounted for movement into and out of opened and closed relation with respect to the openings in the side members, each of said side members including horizontally disposed first portions, inclined second portions below said first portions, vertically disposed third portions extending upwardly from said second portions, horizontally disposed channel members connected to said third section, bearing blocks slidably supported by said channel members, screw members for moving said bearing blocks, a driven shaft connected to said bearing blocks, a conveyor including a pair of endless chains connected to said drive and driven shaft, said chains being mounted for movement along said platform and along the first portions of said side members, a plurality of spaced parallel crosspieccs extending between said chains and connected thereto, and body members connected to 3 k} $9924 and third sections, each of said body mem- 5 bers including inclined members having upper inner por- References Cited in the file of this patent tions defining an apex which is arranged in the central UNIT portion of the second and third sections, said inclined ED STATES PATENTS members having their outer portions terminating in 2'522449 Inman Sept 1950 troughs which are adapted to receive feed that passes 5 2571490 Sanders eta! 161 1951 through the openings in said side members, and inclined i June 1953 lips on the lower ends of said gates, said lips being 2842096 fg g 21 2 mounted for movement into and out of engagement with 2867314 Hansen 1959 the inclined members of said body members, and inwardly extending horizontally disposed flanges on the 10 FOREIGN PATENTS upper ends of said side members and side walls. 629,844 Germany May 14, 1936 

